It’s not easy to understand the meaning behind words used to describe yoga practices. It’s even more of a challenge to find information presented simply and easy to read that you can pick up at a glance. If you just want to know the basics so you can explore further this post is for you. In this article the Reflective Self team will explain what the yoga energy centres are, where they are located, what are their qualities and elements are and how to open and unblock them. Perfect for beginners who do not want to read a wall of text.
Chakra 101
Yoga energy centres are called chakras and are energy vortexes. There are seven chakras each related to different qualities.
Root chakra (Mulhadhara chakra) – Basic survival of the human body. Relates to money, food and shelter. Located at the base of the spine.
Sacral chakra (Svadhishana chakra) – Pleasure, sexual and creative energy. Located two inches below the navel.
Navel Chakra (Manipura chakra) – Self esteem, confidence and worth. Located at the solar plexus, therefore also known as the solar plexus chakra.
Heart chakra (Anahata chakra)- Joy, compassion and love of self and others. Located in the heart area.
Throat chakra (Vishudda chakra)- The throat chakra is associated Clear and truthful self expression. Located at the base of the throat.
Third Eye chakra (Ajna chakra)- Spiritual awareness. Located on the forehead between the eyebrows, also known as the brow chakra.
Crown chakra (Sahastrara chakra)- Spiritual enlightenment. Oneness. Located at the crown of the head.
For a deeper dive in to the Root, Sacral, Navel chakras: Lower Three Chakras Easy Understand Them.
And for more on the the higher two chakras: Crown and Third Eye Chakra.
Healthy Balanced Qualities of the Energy Centres
Root chakra– You feel safe, secure and grounded.
Sacral chakra – You express healthy creativity, sexuality, pleasure and are emotionally balanced.
Navel Chakra – You feel confident and express your will power with healthy action.
Heart chakra – You are emotionally open and can express love and compassion.
Throat chakra – You are able to communicate clearly and authentically.
Third Eye chakra – You have spiritual energy and awareness as well as intuition that sees beyond appearances.
Crown chakra– You one with the divine power and have sense of purpose bigger than yourself.
What Happens When the Energy Centres are Blocked?
Look out for these symptoms when the yoga energy centres are blocked:
Root chakra– You feel unsafe, can have financial difficulties and feel disconnected from your body.
Sacral chakra– Your creativity and libido are low. Emotionally you feel unbalanced.
Navel Chakra – You find it hard to take action and make decisions
Heart chakra– You feel isolated and cannot express love and compassion.
Throat chakra– You find it difficult expressing yourself truthfully and feel unheard.
Third Eye chakra – You lack intuition and spiritual connection and feel disconnected from life.
Crown chakra– You lack purpose and are disconnected from the higher power and universe.
How to Unblock Chakras
There are a number of ways you can unblock and open the chakras. Although there are overlaps in the chakra system, each chakra has specific and unique practices that work.
In general these are things you can do that will open and unblock the energy centers:
Meditation
There are a many meditation practices to choose from, like the Yoga Nidra Guided Meditation for instance. Use breathing and visualisation and focus on the chakra you want to unblock and balance.
Yoga and Yoga Poses
Yoga poses or asanas as they are also called are postures that open and unblock the chakras to allow energy to flow through the centers (see below).
Sounds and Mantras
Chanting and mantras as well as sound bowls are used as the vibration activates the energy centres. Each center has specific vibrations (see below).
Breathing
There are certain yogic breathing (pranayama) techniques that open and balance the techniques. (see below).
Essential Oils and Crystals
You can use certain oils and crystals during practice or through the day or night that target the chakras.
Healing Modalities
Healing traditions such as Reiki and Acupuncture are also used to unlock the energy flow.
Body Ailments Associated with Unbalanced or Blocked Yoga Energy Centres
The body, mind and spirit are one whole. It is not easy to diagnose an ailment to a specific energy centre. However there are common ailments associated with specific chakras.
Root – Lower back pain, constipation and issues with legs and feet.
Sacral – Urinary tract infections, menstrual problems, lower back pain, and infertility.
Navel – Digestive problems, diabetes and ulcers.
Heart – Heart disease, allergies and asthma.
Throat – Sore throat and thyroid problems.
Third Eye – headaches and migraines, and problems with sight.
Crown – Brain neurology disorders, chronic fatigue, overly sensitive to light and sound.
This is for information only, please consult your medical health advisor if have any of the above issues.
Yoga Poses Associated With Each Energy Centre
Root -Mountain pose, Tree pose, and Warrior I
Sacral – Bound Angle pose, Pigeon pose, and Cobra pose.
Navel – Boat pose, Plank pose, and Bow pose.
Heart -Camel pose, Cobra pose, and Bridge pose. Go to 6 Easy Heart Chakra Poses For Joy for more.
Throat -Fish pose, and Plow pose. for more poses go to: Throat Chakra Yoga: The Secret to Finding Your Voice and speaking Your Truth.
Third Eye – Child’s pose, Downward Facing Dog pose, and Headstand.
Crown -Lotus pose, Half Lotus pose and Corpse pose
There is a crossover in the benefits and there are other poses that also are associated with the chakras. Yoga impacts the body, mind and spirit as a whole so when you do yoga the chakras are affected.
Mudras for each Energy Centre
Mudras are hand gestures from yoga that are thought to activate the chakras. They used during meditation and breathing practice.
The most used mudras for each chakra are:
Root Chakra (Muladhara) : Ganesha Mudra and Prithvi Mudra
Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana): Dhyani Mudra and Yoni Mudra
Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura): Surya Mudra and Linga Mudra
Heart Chakra (Anahata): Anjali Mudra and Hridaya Mudra
Throat Chakra(Vishuddha): Vishuddhi Mudra and Matangi Mudra
Third Eye Chakra (Ajna): Hakini Mudra and Shanmukhi Mudra
Crown Chakra (Sahasrara): Sahasrara Mudra and Padma Mudra
Yoga Breathing for Energy Centres
Although the postures get the most attention, breathing (pranayama) exercises are just as a pivotal part of yoga.
Some commonly used breathing for each energy centre :
Root Chakra (Muladhara): Deep and slow breathing.
Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana): Pelvic Breath
Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura): Kapalabhati or Breath of Fire.
Heart Chakra (Anahata): Pranayama or Heart Breath.
Throat Chakra (Vishuddha): Ujjayi or Victorious Breath.
Third Eye Chakra (Ajna): Alternate Nostril Breathing.
Crown Chakra (Sahasrara): Sahaja or Natural Breath.
Use these breathing techniques during meditation, yoga practice and with the mudras to help balance and activate the energy centers.
What Happens if One Energy Centre is Dominant Over the Others
When one chakra is dominant over the others it creates a blockage in the flow of energy running through the physical body chakra system . This can lead to physical, mental and emotional ailments.
It is important to maintain balance and harmony in the seven main chakras for health and well-being of body,mind and spirit. You can do this with meditation, yoga, energy healing, and other holistic practices.
Colours, Mantras and Elements for Yoga Energy Centres
Using visualization, meditation, or working with crystals and essential oils in conjunction with these colours, elements and mantras you can balance and unblock the chakras.
Root Chakra (Muladhara):
Colour : Red
Element: Earth
Mantra: Lam
Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana):
Colour: Orange
Element: Water
Mantra: Vam
Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura):
Colour : Yellow
Element: Fire
Mantra: Ram
Heart Chakra (Anahata):
Colour: Green
Element: Air
Mantra: Yam
Throat Chakra (Vishuddha):
Colour: Blue
Element: Ether
Mantra: Ham
Third Eye Chakra (Ajna):
Colour: Indigo
Element: Light
Mantra: Aum or Om.
Crown Chakra (Sahasrara):
Colour: Violet or white
Element: Consciousness or Thought.
Mantra: Silence
Conclusion
You can imagine the yoga energy centers or seven major chakras as swirling and pulsing balls of power in your body.
Each one is located at in different parts of the body and are linked to different physical, spiritual and emotional qualities.
When blocked they manifest as emotional and physical ailments, loss of personal power and affect how we see and function in life.
You open and unblock the energy centers with various practices such as yoga and yoga poses, chakra meditation, breathing, crystals and essential oils.
When the energy centres chakras are activated and balanced you feel you belong in your body and the universe. You have a connection with the divine and are healthy, grounded and compassionate to yourself and others, with whom you communicate clearly and authentically.
The chakra system is one way of looking at yourself and your place and connection with the world. There are other systems including western medicine. All should play a part when you want to heal and be the best you can be.
We are each unique, what works for one will not work for someone else. Although you get the real benefits of practice by being consistent and diligent do not get too fixated on one practice or energy center. You want to be balanced, when one chakra is dominant over the others it throughs your whole system out and you will experience negative physical and emotional issues.
It is beneficial to find a experienced and competent yoga instructor that can help you and correct you when you need.
The beautiful thing about joining a yoga class is you meet other people like you. The community aspect of yoga should not be over looked. When you are around like minded people your energy centres respond.